Lola Coupe plans unveiled

Lola Cars International Ltd today announces the addition of the latest generation of LMP Coupe to its vast ancestry of world-beating sportscars. Lola also releases the first images of the all-new Lola B08/60 LMP1.

The car will compete in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours and Le Mans Series in the hands of existing Lola sportscar customer Charouz Racing System, who will race the new design with an Aston Martin V12 engine and engineering support from Aston Martin Racing. The Lola B08/60 LMP1 Coupe is the result of over 12 months research, design and aerodynamic testing at Lola's renowned technical base in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Utilising significant upgrades in Computational Fluid Dynamics and windtunnel equipment, Lola is the first constructor to get a customer LMP Coupe on to the track. As well as a full programme for the LMP1 Coupe this year, Lola has also agreed to supply a Lola B08/80 LMP2 version of the design to Speedy-Sebah Racing Team. This entry is planning to battle with Lola's open-topped sportscars to ensure a fifth consecutive class success at Le Mans in 2008, Lola's 50th anniversary year. There is a historic precedent to the announcement of Lola's latest Le Mans efforts as the company entered an Aston-Martin engined T70 in the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours driven by John Surtees.

The first Lola B08/60 LMP1 Coupe is currently being prepared for a significant testing programme with Charouz Racing System before making its public debut at Paul Ricard on the first weekend of March.

Martin Birrane: Executive Chairman – Lola Group : "Following my purchase of Lola in 1997 I have commissioned a total of 8 sportscars all of which have been successful. Since my acquisition, Lola sportscars have taken five LMP675/LMP2 Le Mans class victories and many other wins and championships on both sides of the Atlantic. The B08/80 LMP1 and its sibling – the B08/60 LMP2 Coupe will race this year with exciting teams and drivers. Having sold more LMP cars than any other constructor in the past decade we are delighted that these latest additions to the Lola sportscar story will continue the company's tradition of exceptional engineering allied to a passion for winning."